Vera Rose Jones

After 95 years, a remarkable life has come to an end. Vera Rose Jones passed away on February 26th surrounded by her husband, John (Jack), her son's Dick and Allen, daughter Rosemarie, daughters-in-law Jennifer and Dolly and granddaughter Kelly. Earlier, her granddaughters, Janelle, Jenny, and Heather, spent the day holding her hand and remembering all of the things which made their grandmother so remarkable. Born on June 3, 1923, Vera spent her formative years split between the Detroit and Windsor areas. She remembers spending time with her relatives in Windsor. During her 17th year, Vera met and a year later married the love of her life Jack and remained his wife for the next 77 years. Because WWII had recently commenced, she followed her husband to California where he was enrolled in a Navy dental assistant program. After Jack was deployed to the Pacific, Vera became a true "Rosie the Riveter". Working in the Briggs factory she contributed to the war effort by operating a rivet gun constructing aircraft wings. Upon the end of the war the couple were reunited in the Detroit area. Shortly after the birth of her first born, John Richard (henceforth and forevermore known as Dick), she was diagnosed with Tuberculosis. Admitted to the same sanitorium as her mother, who subsequently died from the disease, she spent 14 months away from her young family. This was the first sign that she was a survivor. The young couple purchased a house in the Detroit area where they lived for the next few years before moving to the suburb of Redford Township. As a stay at home mom, life revolved around her husband, neighbors and most importantly her growing family. After Allen was born in 1947, she thought her dream of having a daughter was ended, but lo' and behold, 10 years later her dream was complete when her daughter Rosemarie was born. This is the first recollection of what we thought of as "Vera Rules". People wanted to shorten "Rosemarie" to Rose, but she would have nothing to do with it and from that day forward her daughter has always been Rosemarie. "Vera Rules" continued throughout her life. Coffee cups had to have thin lips. Butter had to be put on her bread by her because it needed to cover all the slice, leaving no uncovered spots. Her hair always had to be a precise color and in later years done once a week (The day Jack called 911 because she needed to go to the hospital, she scolded him because she was supposed to have her hair done in a few minutes and didn't want to miss the appointment). There were many ways that things could be done, but the one done correctly was done the Vera way. Pills needed to be organized in just a certain manner, her purse had to be within arm's reach at all times, her purple pillow needed to be on her bed. She didn't like pool chalk to get on her hands, so she made a pool glove (which the rest of the woman's league copied). The last time she was in rehab she became known as Queen Vera because everything had to be just so, and she made sure the staff knew just how things were to be arranged. Serving on a variety of school committees, being the den mother for Allen's cub scout troupe, she was always active in the lives of her children. Life raising a family in the 1950's and 1960's was always new and for Vera, exciting. An excellent seamstress, this skill allowed her to enjoy her passion, making clothes, especially for her daughter Rosemarie. She loved to go on the family vacations to Houghton Lake and Burroughs farms. While never professing to be a great golfer, she was so proud of her hole-in-one, the only one any of the family had ever gotten. Her trophy has always been proudly displayed. During the late 1960's, Jack had been selected to open a new factory for the Burroughs Corporation in Guadalajara, Mexico. With the boys out of the house and only Rosemarie home, the opportunity was one that energized the family so, "adios" for the next two years. With a new language to learn and totally out of her element, Vera got busy learning how to become a manager of the household and not it's primary worker. She loved the idea of having a full-time maid/housekeeper. The only tangible result of the move was Max, the poodle. While thinking they were buying a toy poodle, something got lost in translation and Max turned out to be a large standard size. He was big, smart and he was loved. Moving back to their house in Redford after a two-year absence, Vera was able to pick up where they had left off. However, slowly the friends left, and the long-time neighborhood began to change. With the kids all married and on their own and retirement on the horizon for Jack they decided to change locations and move to the community of Heartland, Michigan. Jack retired after 40+ years at Burroughs and Vera continued to enjoy her hobbies and new freedom. Spending time in South Carolina during the winters they ultimately decided, at age 70, to move to Florida. The community of Spruce Creek became the hub of their life. Vera took up two new hobbies. First, she joined the Woman's Pool (as in billiards) League. Her biggest ambition was to beat the league from the neighboring "Villages" and some of her prized possessions were her pool trophies. Having taken up painting earlier in life, it became her passion. All of the family members have numerous paintings. She started the tradition of painting a Christmas card and having Jack get it duplicated. Her family and friends also looked forward to her personal creations each year and they are cherished mementos, but she was most proud of winning honors for her painting "Gazebo in the Park" and first prize for a quilt titled "Cathedral Window". Jack and Vera loved their 20 years in Florida. During those years they played in the sun, made many new friends and memories. Unfortunately, time started to take its toll on Mom's body. Surviving breast cancer, knee and hip replacements and respiratory ailments, despite their desire to remain in Florida, they agreed to move back to Michigan and became residents of the Independent Living community, Oakmont of Sterling Heights. Vera lived there for the remainder of her life. Not one to just sit around Vera was apparently looking for a worthwhile project. Knowing of her wonderful seamstress skills, and her love of doing something for people in need, her daughter-in-law Dolly suggested she look at making pillow case dresses for children living in dire circumstances. Starting at the age of 90, she became a one-woman dress making factory. In her bedroom she developed a system of making the dresses in stages so she could be more productive. After her first 1000 dresses she was interviewed by the local news and a party was thrown in her honor. She thought maybe 1000 was enough but she still had some pillowcases left. Then someone brought more, and then more again and away she continued. She was hoping to reach 2000 and ultimately succeeded at 2004 dresses. It is amazing to think of the hundreds of little girls who have a smile on their face because of the beautiful dress they are enjoying due to one 90-year old's unstoppable desire to help those less fortunate. Vera was a compassionate, caring wife, mother, sister and friend to more people than she could count. Her accomplishments were known far and wide and she touched the lives of so many people, especially the hundreds of children who had the joy of wearing her creations. She is missed by all who knew and loved her. Vera is survived by her husband of 77 years, Jack, her children Dick and Jenny Jones, Allen and Dolly Jones, and Rosemarie Williams and her sister Marie (Walter) Klimach. In addition, she has six grandchildren, Jeff Jones and Mark (Amy) Jones, Janelle (Bill) Manolakoudis and Jennifer (Beau) Bachman, Heather (Nathan) Armstrong, Kelly (Mike) Bartle and nine great-grandchildren, Dean, Alyna, Evan, Mia, Morgan, Shelby, Ben, Camden and Emmalyn. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098 with Rev. Chuck Sonquist officiating. The family will be present to receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. A luncheon will follow the service. Due to Vera's love of helping children in need, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Children's Hospital of Michigan, 3011 West Grand Blvd., Suite 218, Detroit, Michigan 48202 or chmfoundation.org. Please feel free to call or text either Allen at 989 928-2400, Dick at 203 808-2434 or Rosemarie at 586 612-4833. Visitation Information Date: Sunday, May 5, 2019 Time: 1:00 pm End Time: 2:00 pm The family will be present to receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service at 2:00 p.m. Service Information Date: Sunday, May 5, 2019 Time: 2:00 pm A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church of Troy, 6363 Livernois Road, Troy, MI 48098 with Rev. Chuck Sonquist officiating.